Deductions
A presentation includesnotonlythedeductions
that are permitted, but also limitations and
p -. s s - s disallowances associated with deductions
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Because deductions can exceed gross income,
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the treatment of losses is also included
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sections of Form 1040 40a Itemized deductions (from Schedule A) or your standard deduction (see left margin)
where the results are
reported. Personal and dependency exemptions (x,xxx)
Taxable income $xx,xxx
Tax on taxable income (see Tax Tables or Tax Rate Schedules) $ x,xxx
Less: Tax credits (including income taxes withheld and prepaid) (xxx)
Tax due (or refund) $ xxx
CAICULATION OF Dr. Clii! Payne extracts the íòllowing informatioji froto his financial reporting s stem
associated with his dental practice.
DEDUCT! BLE
Salaries including FICA (unpaid at year-end of $5,000) $120,000
EX PENS ES
Building rent 24,000
Depreciation of dental equipment and office furnishings and
equipment 52,000
Insurance (malpractice and of dental equipment and office furnishings
and equipment) 22,000
Dental supplies (ending inventory of $7,000) 16,000
Office supplies (ending inventory of $1,500) 3,000
Contribution to Virginia gubernatorial campaign fund of Bob McDonnell 1,000
Contribution to Virginia gubernatorial campaign fund of Creigh Deeds 1,000
Legal expenses associated with patient lawsuit (jury decision for
defendant) 4,000
Draw by Dr. Payne for living expenses ($5,000 monthly) 60,000
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CHAIIF1R 6 Deductions and Losses: In General 6-3
Dr. Payne calculates the deductible expenses that he can report on Schedule C of
Form 1040 as follows:
Has Dr. Payne correctly calculated the business expenses for his dental practice?
Read the chapter and formulate your response.
Steve is a self-employed CPA. Ralph is one of Steve's employees. During the year, Steve
and Ralph incur the following expenses:
Steve Ralph
Dues to American Institute of CPAs and State Society of CPAs $ 400 $ 300
Subscriptions to professional journals 500 200
Registration fees for tax conferences 800 800
$1,700 $1,300
vOO (:olo,,;af Ire '. I lei-v i'i, 4 tTST( : ¶ 1292, 3 AFTR I t O, 4 S.( I 78
(tSSC, 1934).
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Steve does not reimburse any of his employees for dues, subscriptions, or educational
programs.
Steve's expenses are classified as a deduction for AGI. Therefore, he can deduct the
$1,700 on his Federal income tax return. Ralph's expenses are classified as deductions
from AGI. Ralph will be able to benefit from the $1,300 of expenses on his Federal
income tax return only if he itemizes deductions. If he takes the standard deduction
instead, the $1,300 of expenses will have no effect on the calculation of his taxable
income. Even if Ralph does itemize deductions, he must reduce the $1,300 of expenses,
which are classified as miscellaneous itemized deductions, by 2% of his AGI. As this
example illustrates, whether a deduction is classified as for AGI or from AGI can affect
the benefit the taxpayer receives from the deduction. u
See Concept Sununary 6.3 later in the chapter fòr the classification of rieductions
as deductions ¡(n-Ac;I or asdeductions from AGI.
Deductions ¡or AGI are also important in determining the amount of itemized
deductions because many itemized deductions are limited to amounts in excess of
specified percentages of AGI. Examples of itemized deductions that are limited by
AGI are medical expenses and persoiui1 casuali) losses. Itemized deductions that are
(ledlictible only to the extent that the exceed a specified percentage o! AGI are
increased whemi AGI is decreased, likewise, when AGI is increased, these itemized
deductions are decreased.
Tina earns a salary of $20,000 and has no other income. She itemizes deductions during
the current year. Medical expenses for the year are $1,800. Since medical expenses are
deductible only to the extent they exceed 7.5% of AGI, Tinas medical expense deduc-
tion is $300 [$1,800 (7.5%
. . $20,000)]. If Tina had a $2,000 deduction for AGI, her
medical expense deduction would be $450 [$1,800 (7.5% $18,000)], or $150 more.
If the $2,000 deduction was from AGI, her medical expense deduction would remain
$300 since AGI is unchanged.
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CL-IA PTER 6 Deductions and Losses: In General 6-5
ITEMIZED DEDUCTIONS
The Code defines itemized deductions as the deductions allowed other than "the
deductions allowable in arriving at adjusted gross income."2 Thus, if a deduction is not
I)1l)e1ly' classified as a (leduction [ürAGI, then it is classified as an itemized deduction.
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vVas the use C)! the particular ileni related to a lisiness ac tivitv? Ior exam-
J)le, if hinds are borrowed lin mise in a business, the interest is deduictible
as a business expense.
Was the expenditure incurred with the imitent to mealite a profil or lo pro-
duice income? For cxanìple, expenses in CXCCSS of tIme inconie boni raising
horses are not deductible if the activity is classified as a persomil hobb\
rather than a trade or business.
Were the taxpayer's operation and mnamiagement activities extensive
enough to indmcatc the carrying on of a trade or business?
Section 162 exil iidec the lollownig items troni classification as trade or business
expenses:
Charitable coninhutions or gifìs.
Illegal bribes and kickbacks and certain treble damage payments.
Fines and pemilties.
A bribe paid to a domestic official is not deductible if it is illegal minder the laws of
the Uiiitcd States. Foreign bribes arc deductible unless the are unlawful under the
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977.'
Ordinaîy and Necessaiy Requirement
The terms ordinary and necessary aie fòuncl in both 162 amid 212. To be deductible,
am trade or business expense must be "ordinary and necessary.'' In addition, com-
pensation for services must he "reasonable" in amount.
Many expenses that are necessary are noi ordinary. Neither "ordinary" nor ''nec-
essary" is defined in the Code or Regulations. The courts have held that an expense
is necessart' if a prudent businessperson would incur the same expense and the
expense is expected to be appropriate and helpful iii the taxpayer's business»
Pat purchased a manufacturing concern that had just been adjudged bankrupt.
Because the business had a poor financial rating, Pat satisfied some of the obligations
to employees and outside salespeople incurred by the former owners. Pat had no legal
obligation to pay these debts, but felt this was the only way to keep salespeople and
employees. The Second Circuit Court of Appeals found that the payments were neces-
sary in that they were both appropriate and helpful.' However, the court held that the
payments were not ordinary but were in the nature of capital expenditures to build a
reputation. Therefore, no deduction was allowed.
1620 61). /)wì, aì/ tI,(aìl/,, Im. '. (owpiì.. 13-2 tST(: 35)66. 31 \Fl R 043. 30
10/rl r. IIr6ew'. 31ST(:! Iii, 12\FIR I 15031 s.ci.eitsst:. 1033). F20 212(CÀ-2, 1013).
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CHA19I'IR i-1 Deductions and Losses: In General 6-7
An epeusc is Ordii? (II) if it is normal, usual, or ciistoivarv Ifl the type of business
conducted by the taxpayer aiìd is flot capital in nature. However, an expense need
n)t be recurring to he (leductihie as ordinary.
Albert engaged in a mail-order business. The post office judged that his advertisements
were false and misleading. Under a fraud order, the post office stamped "fraudulent"
on all letters addressed to Albert's business and returned them to the senders. Albert
spent $30,000 on legal fees in an unsuccessful attempt to force the post office to stop.
The legal fees (though not recurring) were ordinary business expenses because they
were normal, usual, or customary in the circumstances.9 u
For 212 deductions, the law requires that expenses hear a reasonable and proxi-
mate relationship to (1) the production or collection of income or to (2) the man-
agenìent, conservation, or maintenance of property held fbr the production of
inc oui e. li)
Wendy owns a small portfolio of investments, including 10 shares of Hawk, Inc. com-
mon stock worth $1,000. She incurred $350 in travel expenses to attend the annual
shareholders' meeting where she voted her 10 shares against the current management
group. No deduction is permitted because a 10-share investment is insignificant in
value in relation to the travel expenses incurred.11 u
Reasonableness Requirement
The Code refers to reasonableness solely with respect to salaries and other compensa-
tion for services.! 2 But the courts have held that bw any business expense tc he ordi-
nary and necessary, it must also he reasonable in amount. 13
What constitutes reasonableness is a question of fact. If an expense is unreason-
able, the excess amount is not allowed as a deduction. 'I'he question of reasonable-
ness generally arises with respect to closely held corporations where there is no
separation of ownership and nianagenient.
Transactioiis between the shareholders and the closely held company may result
in the disallowance of deductions fòr excessive salaries and rent expense paid by the
corporation to the shareholders. 'I'he courts will view an unusually large salarv in
light of all relevant circumstances and may find that the salary is reasonable despite
its size. 11 If excessive pa\ilicnts fòr salaries and rents are closely related to the per-
centageof stock owned by the recipients, the payments are generally treated as divi-
clends. I.) Since dividends are not deductible b the corporation, the disallowance
results in an increase in the corporate taxable income. Deductions for reasonable
salaries will not he disallowed coleI)' because the corporation has paid insubstantial
portions of its earnings as dividends to its shareholders.
,. /)u/'ü,,(. 40t tStC ¶1061, 23 \FLR 868, 1) SCi .363 ([SSC, ' 1626to 1
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Carlos, and Ramon because the payments are proportional to stock ownership. Salaries
are deductible by the corporation, but dividends are not. u
REPORTING PROCEDURES
\ll deductions Jo! and ham A(1 \vind up ou uges I and 2 of Fornl I 040. All dld'(luc-
tions fin AGI are reported on page The last line on page is adjusted gross
1 . 1
income.
The first item on page 2 is also adjusted gross income. Itemized (leduictions are
entered next, fòllowed by thud' deduction for personal and depemidemicv exemptions.
The resi.ilt is taxable incommie.
Most of the deductions ¡in AGI on originate oui supporting schedules.
1
Examples include business expenses (Schedule C); rent, royalty, partnership, amidi
fiduciary deductions (Schedule E); and furming expenses (Schedule F). Oilier
deductions ¡or AGI, such as traditional IRAs, Keogh retirement plans, amidI alimony,
are enteredl directly on page 1 of Form 1040.
All itemized deductions on page 2 are carried over horn Schedule A. Some Sched-
imle A (ledumctions originate on other forms. Examples include investment imlterest,
noncash charitable contributions in excess of $500, casualty losses, and unreirn-
bursedl employee expenses.
Form i 04() becomes a sumnmnam'v of the detailed infòrmatiomi emlteme(I on the other
schedules and föns. See Figure 6.1.
See Concept Summary 6.3 later in the chapter fòr the classification of deductions
as deductions ¡orAGI or as deductions /ìoui AGI.
accounting are the cash method and the accrual method. If a taxpayer owns multi-
pld' businesses, it may be possil)le to umse the cash method for somile and the accrual
mìiethod for othe rs.
Throumghoumt the portiomis of tue Codle dealing with deductions, the phrase "paid
or imicummed'' is umsed. Pain' refèrs to the cash basis taxpa\er wild) gets a diedluction Omll\
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CI I\PTF1R 6 Deductions and Losses. In Generai 6-9
iSchedule B
RAs
I
in the year of payment. Incurred concerns the accrual basis taxpayer \v1lO obtains the
deduction in the year in which the liability fi)r the expense becomes certain (refer to
Chapter 4).
Although the cash basis taxpayer must have actually or constructively paid the
expense, payment does not assure a current deduction. Cash basis and accrual basis
taxpayers cannot take a current deduction for capital expenditures except through
amortization, depletion, or depreciation over the life (actual or statutory) of the
asset. The Regulations set forth the general rule that an expenditure that creates an
V. PII I/I J sf (o., CXV, 37-1 VSI ( ¶1135, I t) .\rTR t 1)5, SS 8.26 'RVV.Rut. 71)-39, t 978 t (It. 73. Sc ako Rcv.RuI. 1)0-335. 1980-2 (.1). I 79,
192 (CAI, 937). which appIic io 1ov-h\-pIon ('atIaflg('tfl('flls.
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asset lìavitìi. a useful life litaI extends stibstantiallv hevotid tut' etici of the tax year
lutist be eapitaliiedH
John, a calendar year and cash basis taxpayer, rents property from Carl. On July 1, 2010,
John pays $24,000 rent for the 24 months ending June 30, 2012. The prepaid rent
extends 18 mortths after the close of the tax yearsubstantially beyond the year of
payment. Therefore, John must capitalize the prepaid rent and amortize the expense
on a monthly basis. His deduction for 2010 s $6,000.
The Tax Court and the IRS took litt' position that ait asset that svii t'Xpire or he
eonsitnìed by tite eitd of the tax vetr followiuc tite veal of p ment must be pio-
rated. The Ninth Circuit (3ntrt of Appeals held that stich expenditures ate t'iirrentiv
deductii)ie, however, and the Supreme Court apparenti\ concurs (tite otte-veat' mie
dir prepaid expenses)
Assume the same facts as in Example 7 except that John is required to pay only 12
months' rent in 2010. He pays $12,000 on July 1, 2010. The entire $12,000 is deductible
in 2010. u
The pavmen t must be required, not a voluntary prepavitietut, to obtain tite citi-
rent deduction tinder the one-sear ruile» 'litt' taxpa\ er must aiso detnotistrate that
allowing the current deduction will not resuit itt a tuaterial riistot'tioit of income.
(;c't'tsilu, tite (IedtlCtion svili be allowed il the tetti is recurring or was made for a
business p111'pose rather than to niattiputiate ittcoiuie.'
As Chapter iS explains, not all taxpayers ate aih)wed to use tite ('ash tlletli(tdi.
For exattipie, in most cases the taxpayer is t'eqitireci to use the acct'iiai method for
sales and cost of goods sold if' inventories aie an inc'otite-pt'oditciiig factot' of tite
business.
1.491-I(a). RSlb'i o. (omm., SI-I t'StC ¶1)11)4, 53 AF'tR 23 SI-963, 725 t',2,t 117:1
tao,n(n'ìc/ì o. (;omm.. 80t t_ST(. ¶9342. IS .\FIR 23 80-1442. 61 I) F23 429 (CA-S. 1)84). 51//'279i.(, 7)11)82).
(CAO. 1980), ìr' 69 IC. 605 978). ( 3twt k thu S Colt il! Ill/IS- $( -I-IS.
bow Va/wool l)aok o. (Ssmo,., 83I ST( ¶9221/. SI 'sF IR 23 83-874, 193 ' 41)1(6.
SC!. I 134(t SSC. 1983).
liOOa!S!' I)0S'/(ì/)O!S'Oi (S,. s. (omm., 82-2 CS 1 ¶(1t28, SI) AFIR 23 82-5167.
679 F23 ISO )( A-9. 1982).
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Cl IAPTER h Deductions and Losses: In General 6-11
Rick, an accrual basis, calendar year taxpayer, entered into a monthly maintenance
contract during the year. He makes a monthly accrual at the end of every month for this
service and pays the fee sometime between the first and fifteenth of the following
month when services are performed. The amount involved is immaterial, and all the
other tests are met. The December 2010 accrual is deductible in 2010 even though the
service is performed on January 12, 2011.
Rita, an accrual basis, calendar year taxpayer, shipped merchandise sold on December
30, 2010, via Greyhound Van Lines on January 2, 2011, and paid the freight charges at
that time. Since Rita reported the sale of the merchandise in 2010, the shipping charge
should also be deductible in 2010. This procedure results in a better matching of
income and expenses.
Blackbird Airlines is required by Federal law to test its engines after 3,000 flying hours.
Aircraft cannot return to flight until the tests have been conducted. An unrelated air-
craft maintenance company does all of the company's tests for $1,500 per engine. For
financial reporting purposes, the company accrues an expense based upon $50 per
hour of flight and credits an allowance account. The actual amounts paid for mainte-
nance are offset against the allowance account. For tax purposes, the economic per-
formance test is not satisfied until the work has been done. Therefore, the reserve
method cannot be used for tax purposes.
'f 4(i!(ti)(3(r\).
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The U.S. Justice Department is bringing more prosecutions clean." Although confession is good for the soul, here it is
under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (FCPA of done in the hope that the voluntary disclosure will lessen
1977) for alleged foreign bribes. Prior to this, the implemen- any penalties imposed.
tation of the Act had remained nearly dormant for several These investigations and related prosecutions have
decades. spawned an army of consultants who specialize in interpret-
According to the Justice Department, at least 120 compa- ing the FCPA of 1977. Some of these consultants are former
nies are now under investigation. This is an increase from Justice Department officials who once prosecuted bribery
100 at the end of 2008. cases for the government.
Consequently, U.S. companies with international opera-
tions are evaluating whether their activities are at risk under
the Act. In situations where violations are apparent, some Source: Adapted from 1)ionnc Searcey, "L'S. Cracks l)own ori Corpo-
companies have contacted the Justice Department to "come rate Bribes," Wail Stree/Journal, May 26, 2009, p. Al.
Brown Corporation, a moving company, consistently loads its trucks with weights ¡n
excess of the limits allowed by state law. The additional revenue more than offsets the
fines levied. The fines are for a violation of public policy and are not deductible.
Thnk Irwk Rcnla6, Im. V. Cornn., 58-I VSI( ¶9366, 1 AFTR 2d 115 I, )( 162(c), (1) wd (g)
78 SCi. 507 (UssC, 1958).
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CHAPTER 6 Deductions and Losses: In General 6-13
During the year, Keith, an insurance salesman, paid $5,000 to Karen, a real estate
broker. The payment represented 20% of the commissions Keith earned from custom-
ers referred by Karen. Under state law, the splitting of commissions by an insurance
salesperson is an act of misconduct that could warrant a revocation of the salesperson's
license. Keith's $5,000 payments to Karen are not deductible provided the state law is
generally enforced.
Debra, a financial officer of Blue Corporation, incurs legal expenses in connection with
her defense in a criminal indictment for evasion of Blue's income taxes. Debra may
deduct her legal expenses because she is deemed to be in the trade or business of being
an executive. The legal action impairs her ability to conduct this business activity.30
Deductible legal expenses associated with the following are deductible forAGl:
Ordinary and necessary expenses incurred in connection with a trade or
business.
Ordinary and necessary expenses incurred in conjunction with rental or
royalty property held for the production of income.
All other deductible legal expenses are deductible from AGI. For example, legal
expenses generally are deductible mm AGI ii they are for fees fòr tax advice relative
to the preparation of an individual's income tax return. Contrast this with the cleduc-
tiontorclassification of legal fees fòr tax advice relative to the preparation of the por-
tion of the tax return fur a sole proprietor's trade or business (Schedule C) or an
individual's rental or royalty income (Schedule E).
Sam owns and operates an illegal gambling establishment. In connection with this
activity, he has the following expenses during the year:
Rent $ 60,000
Payoffs to the police 40,000
Depreciation on equipment 100,000
Wages 140,000
Interest 30,000
Criminal fines 50,000
Illegal kickbacks 10,000
Total $430,000
. i ic 6(1i t:s t( ¶93 9, I 7 AFLR 2d oss, so S.( :. 1118 (USS( :, a. Sullivan, 58i tJSTC ¶9368, i AFTR 2d 1158, 78 S.Ct. 512 (USSC,
966). 1958).
Rcv.RuI. 68-662, 1968-2 (B. (li).
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All of the usual expenses (rent, depreciation, wages, and interest) are deductible; pay-
offs, fines, and kickbacks are not deductible. Of the $430,000 spent, $330,000 is deduct-
ible and $100,000 ¡s not.
12, 2010. He wants you to prepare a Form 11 20S for 2009 for income for Wash Clean far exceeds that of several other
his washateria, Wash Clean, an S corporation. Clark owns at washateria clients. About a month ago, one of your golfing
least six different businesses in your community and has a companions mentioned that he had heard that Wash Clean
reputation of being a risk taker and an "operator." He pro- was laundering more than clothes.
vides you with the financial data prepared monthly for You have all the data you need to complete the Form
Wash Clean by a local bookkeeping service. He hopes to file 1120S for Wash Clean. Should you do so?
the S corporation return by March 15 "to avoid any prob-
lems with the IRS." Clark also is the president of the Cham-
ber of Commerce.
Lobbying Expenditures
Lobbying exj)enses incurred in attempting to influence state or Federal legislation
or the actions of certain high-ranking public officials (e.g., the Presiden t, Vice Presi-
dent, cabinet-level officials, and the two most senior officials in each agency of the
executive branch) are not deductible.'t' The disallowance also applies to a pro rata
portion of the membership (lues of trade associations 'and other groups that are used
fòr lobbying activities.
280E. 3 276.
Reg. I .6I-3(al. Gross jocotee is rk!iited as sates ideos cosi o! goods sold. 1123e).
Thus. ehile 280E prohibits dits dediiciiotis foi di ug dealers, ii does loi
itiodifs the ilolitiili di'!iiiitioii of gross iiìroiiii'.
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('HAIlER (i Deductions and Losses: In General 6-15
Source: lapied f n n Klaus I :niei , 1)avc ( ;ral ìain au d Vicioila Niai n, "( ;ennans Passes
,
I ass liii posi ng
Limiis (ni Executive l'av,'' Ri'uleo,fune 18, 2009.
Egret Company pays a $10,000 annual membership fee to the Free Trade Group, a trade
association for plumbing wholesalers. The trade association estimates that 70% of its
dues are allocated to lobbying activities. Thus, Egret Company's deduction is limited to
$3,000 ($10,000 x 30%). .
There are ihree exceptions to the disallowance of lobbying expenses. An excep-
tion is j)I'OViCIC(l for inilnencing local legislation (e.g., city and county governments).
Second, the disallowance provision does 1101 apply to activities devoted solely to
nionitoring legislation. Third, a (le mininhis exception is provided fòr annual in-house
expenditures (lobbying expenses oilier than those f)aiCl to professional lobbyists or
aiiv portion of clues nSd'(I by associations foi' lobbying) if such expenditures do not
exceed $2,000. If the in-house expenditures exceed $2,000, none of the in-house
e'xpenditiii'es cati be deducted.
162(iiì).
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Under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, ance bonuses paid to executives in change of ownership or
Congress established the Troubled Asset Relief Program control situations).
(TARP) to help bailout ailing financial institutions. Under Nontax legislation has imposed other limits on compensa-
TARP, the government is authorized to make direct pur- tion that can be paid by TARP recipients. These provisions are
chases or sponsored-auction purchases of troubled assets. being administered by the so-called compensation czar, the
For the participating companies standards are set on the Treasury Department's special master for TARP executive
deductibility of executive compensation (e.g., for CEO5, compensation. His powers include veto authority over the
CFO5, and other key officers). In direct purchase situations, compensation paid by seven companies that received huge
the IRS is empowered to establish compensation parame- sums of Federal aid under TARP. He must approve or review
ters. In auction cases, however, a cap of $500,000 is the compensation paid to senior executive officers and the
imposed. Also affected are golden parachutes (i.e., sever- 100 highest-paid employees.
INVESTIGATION OF A BUSINESS
Invest,t.,ralioïi CX»CÌISCS are expenses paid or imhctmrred to determine the frasihility of
entering a new business or expanding an existing business. They include such costs
as travel, engineering and architectural surveys, marketing reports, aml(I various legal
amici accounting services. How such expenses are treated fòr tax purposes depends
on a number of variables, including the following:
The current business, if any, of the taxpayer.
The nature of the btmsiness being investigated.
The extent to \VhiClh the investigation has proceeded.
Wimether or not the acquisition actually takes place.
If the taxpayer is in a himsiness ti-he same as or similar Io that beimig investigated,
all investigatiomu expenses are deductible in the year paid or incurred. The tax
mesumit is the sanie whether or not the taxpayer acquires the busimtess beimig
imhvestigated.'
(L\-1. IiJS.
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CF IAPTER 6 Deductions and Losses: In General 6-17
6.1
Costs of Investigating a Business
U-.
Yes No Yes i
Terry, an accrual basis sole proprietor, owns and operates three motels in Georgia. In
the current year, Terry incurs expenses of $8,500 in investigating the possibility of
acquiring several additional motels located in South Carolina. The $8,500 is deductible
in the current year whether or not Terry acquires the motels in South Carolina. u
When the taxpayer is noi in a business that is the same as or similar to the one being
investigated, the tax result depends on whether the new business quired. If the
business is not acquired, all investigation expenses generally are nondeductibIe.
Lynn, a retired merchant, incurs expenses in traveling from Rochester, New York, to
California to investigate the feasibility of acquiring several auto care centers. If no
acquisition takes place, none of the expenses are deductible.
Il the taxpayer is noi in a business that is the same as or similar to the one being
investigated and actually acquires the new business, the expenses must be capitalized
as startup expenses. At the election of the taxpayer, the first $5,000 of the expenses
can be immediately deducted. Any excess expenses can be amortized over a period
of 180 months (15 years). In arriving at the $5,000 immediate deduction allowed, a
dollar-for-dollar reduction must be made lòr those expenses in excess 0f$50,000U
Tina owns and operates 10 restaurants located in various cities throughout the South-
east. She travels to Atlanta to discuss the acquisition of an auto dealership. In addition,
she incurs legal and accounting costs associated with the potential acquisition. After
Rc.RtiI. 57-lift 1(157-2 (.It. 143; lhn/oì/ ¡(an);, 20 f.C. 51 i (1953) ; 1)5)0).
1)wii/ -i. UntI. 21)1(332(1953).
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incurring total investigation costs of $52,000, she acquires the auto dealership on
October 1, 2010.
Tina may immediately deduct $3,000 [$5,000 ($52,000 $50,000)] and amortize
the balance of $49,000 ($52,000 $3,000) over a period of 180 months. For calendar
year 2010, therefore, Tina can deduct $3,817 [$3,000 + ($49,000 3/180)].
HOBBY LOSSES
Biisinc'ss or incstiucnl expc'nscs arc cicdiictihlc' oiilv it ihc taxpayer eau show that
dir' acti\iI\ \VaS cuuteitri illt() toi the puipose of uìiakiuig a })IOtit. (3'itaiu activities
niav liase either piotit-seekiuug 01 peusonal attuibuutes, depending upon ilI(li\idtlal
circumstances. Examples iuucliude raisiuug horses and operating a fauuii luse(I as a week-
end residence. \Vhile persouual losses aie not deductible, losses attril)Iutal)Ie to 1)IOht-
seeking activities may be de(Iuuctcd aIl(l used lo oflset a taxpavel's othet income. For
[luis reason, the tax law ¡inuits the deductibility of hobby losses.
General R u/es
hfauu iuìdividuah eau show that an activity lias been conducted willi the intent to calli
a po )f i t, h sses f r( ni thi e act ivi lv are fu ulIv deductible, 1h r' 1( hbv l ss ti ules :11)1)15 onl
I
if the activity is not engagel in for profit. Flobby expenses are deductible only to the
extent of hobby income.
The Regiulations stipulate that the fòllowiuug uline factors shoiuld be considered in
deterniiuiiuug whether au activity is puofit seeking or a hobby:
\Vhetheu the activit\ is conducted in a businesslike uìiauiuuer.
l'hue expertise of the taxpayers ou their adviseus.
The linie auid efiort expended.
The expectation that the assets of the activity will appreciate iii value.
Ihr' taxpayer's previous success in conducting similar activities.
Ihr' lustory of iuucoulle or losses froni the activity,
Ihue relatioush i1j of profits earned to losses incurued.
TIte financial status of the taxpayer (e.g., if the taxpayer (hoes not have
substantial aiuuounts of other incouuue, this may indicate that the activity is
engaged ii f( r profi t)
u
Camille, an executive for a large corporation, is paid a salary of $200,000 Her husband
is a collector of antiques Several years ago, he opened an antique shop in a local shop-
ping center and spends most of his time buying and selling antiques He occasionally
earns a small profit from this activity but more frequently incurs substantial losses. If
18()) !(I).
!.!-(I)(!
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CHA1'IER 6 Deductions and Losses: In General 6-19
The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration losses can be controlled only through thorough policing by
(TIGTA) has issued a report on the number of taxpayers who the Unfortunately, the IRS has neither the time nor the
IRS.
file Schedule C of Form 1040 showing losses over several resources to carry out the audit efforts required. The TIGTA
consecutive years. Many of the returns examined reported report, therefore, suggests that § 183 be changed by legisla-
substantial income from other sources, and the majority of tion to establish a clear standard for determining whether
the individuals involved had their tax returns prepared by an activity is a business ora hobby.
tax practitioners. By claiming the Schedule C losses, approxi-
mately 1.2 million taxpayers were able to save $2.8 billion in
taxes for tax year 2005. Source: "Significant Challenges Exist in Determining Whether Tax-
payers with Schedule C Losses Arc Engaged in Tax Abuse," Treaswiy
Because of the subjective nature of the hobby loss rules Irapertor Gen«raljor 'lax /ldnun titration, September 7, 2007 (Refèrence
(i.e., whether or not a profit motive exists), these Schedule C No. 2007-30-173).
the losses are business related, they are fully deductible against Camille's salary income
on a joint return. In resolving this issue, consider the following:
Initially determine whether the antique activity has met the three-out-of-
five years profit test.
If the presumption is not met, the activity may nevertheless qualify as a busi-
ness if the taxpayer can show that the intent is to engage in a profit-seeking
activity. It is not necessary to show actual profits.
Attempt to fit the operation within the nine criteria prescribed in the Regu-
lations and listed above. These criteria are the factors considered in trying
to rebut the § 183 presumption.
Jim, the vice president of an oil company, has AGI of $80,000. He decides to pursue
painting in his spare time. He uses a home studio, comprising 10% of the home's square
footage. During the current year, Jim incurs the following expenses:
Frames $ 350
Art supplies 300
Fees paid to models 1,000
Reg. f L183!(b)(l). 'Reg. f .671 F(aflfiv) aia! Rev.Riil. 73-14, 19751 CR. 90.
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During the year, Jim sold paintings for a total of $3,200. If the activity is held to be a
hobby, Jim is allowed deductions as follows:
Jim includes the $3,200 of income in AGI, making his AGI $83,200. The taxes and nter
est are itemized deductions, deductible in full. The remaining $2,110 of expenses are
reduced by 2% of his AGI ($1,664), so the riet deduction is $446. Since the property
taxes and home mortgage interest are deductible anyway, the net effect s a $2,754
($3,200 less $446) increase in taxable income.
Assume that Jim's activity in Example 22 is held to be a business. The business is located
in a small office building he owns. Expenses are property taxes of $90, mortgage inter-
est of $1,000, frames of $350, art supplies of $300, models' fees of $1,000, maintenance
and utilities of $360, and depreciation of $500. Under these circumstances, Jim could
deduct expenses totaling $3,600. All these expenses would be trade or business
expenses deductible forAGI. His reduction in AGI would be as follows:
Gross income $ 3,200
Less: Taxes and interest $1,090
Other business expenses 2,010
Depreciation 500 (3,600)
Reduction in AGI (s 400) .
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CHAPTFR 6 Deductions and Losses: In Generai 6-21
Before the recession, many taxpayers used their vacation As the landlord, the taxpayer can either hire someone
home exclusively for their own vacation purposes. Since the to manage the property or use the do-it-yourself method.
house was not rented, it sat idle when the owners were not In the do-it-yourself category is Jack Russell of Lexington,
vacationing. Kentucky, who owns a five-bedroom vacation home in Kia-
With the recession, many owners of vacation homes are wah Island, South Carolina. He spent $249 to advertise on a
feeling less prosperous and are turning to the dual use of website called Vacation Rentals by Owner. A Facebook
these homes as vacation and rental property. Not only does group he started at no charge routes potential tenants to
the rent income reduce the financial burden of ownership, his ad. He also advertised on Google for $200 for a three-
but when the tax consequences are considered, a positive month period. Russell expects to rent his vacation home for
cash flow can also result. 26 weeks per year with the highest rent for a week being
If the property is used solely as a vacation home, only $7,600.
itemized deductions for property taxes and mortgage inter-
est can be deducted in calculating the taxpayer's taxable
income. With the rental use, part of the other expenses
Source: Adapted froni Suzanne Barhn, "Second Chances: How to
incurred for the vacation home can be deducted (e.g., main- Squeeze More Money Ont of Vacation Homes," Wall Street Journal,
tenance, repairs, utilities, insurance, and depreciation). June 8, 2009, p. R4.
Dixie owns a vacation cottage on the lake. During the current year, she rented it for
$1,600 for two weeks, lived in it two months, and left it vacant the remainder of the
year. The year's expenses amounted to $6,000 mortgage interest expense, $500 prop-
erty taxes, $1,500 utilities and maintenance, and $2,400 depreciation. Since the prop-
erty was not rented for at least 15 days, the income is excluded, the mortgage interest
and property tax expenses are itemized deductions, and the remaining expenses are
nondeductible personal expenses.
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Assume instead that Dixie in Example 24 used the cottage for 12 days and rented it for
48 days for $4,800. Since she rented the cottage for 15 days or more but did not use it
for more than 14 days, the cottage is treated as rental property. The expenses must be
allocated between personal and rental days.
Percentage of Use
Rental Personal
80% 20%
Dixie deducts the $3,520 rental loss for AGI (assuming she satisifies the at-risk and
passive activity loss rules, discussed in Chapter 11). She also has an itemized deduction
for property taxes of $100 associated with the personal use. The mortgage interest of
$1,200 associated with the personal use is not deductible as an itemized deduction
because the cottage is not a qualified residence (qualified residence interest) for this
purpose (see Chapter 10). The portion of utilities and maintenance and depreciation
attributable to personal use is not deductible.
Assume instead that Dixie in Example 24 rented the cottage for 200 days and lived in it for 19
days. The cottage is primarily rental use since she rented t for 15 days or more and did not
use it for personal purposes for more than 20 days (10% of the rental days). The expenses
must be allocated between personal and rental days as illustrated in Example 25.
Personal/Rental Use
Il the residence is rented fdr 1) (lays or more in a year wut is used loe personal p'p
for more than the greater of (1) 14 days or (2) 10 percent of the tot.al clays rented, it is
treated as a personal/rental use resicletice. Tile expenses must he allocated between
personal clays and rental days. Expenses are allowed only to the extent of rent income.
Assume instead that Dixie in Example 24 rented the property for 30 days and lived in it
for 30 days. The residence ¡s classified as personal/rental use property since she used ¡t
more than 14 days and rented ¡t for 15 days or more. The expenses must be allocated
between rental use and personal use, and the rental expenses are allowed only to the
extent of rent income.
ti a residence is classified as personal/rental rise piOpeiiy, the expenses that aie de-
ductible anyway (e.g., real estate taxes and mortgage interest) must be deducted first. If
a positive net income results, otherwise nondeductible expenses that do not affect
adjusted basis (e.g., maintenance, utilities, insurance) aie allowed next. Finally, if any
positive balance remains, depreciation is allowed. Any disallowed expenses allocable to
rental rise are carried fòrward and used in flitrue years subject to the same limitations.
Expenses must be allocated between personal and rental days before the limits
are applied. The courts have held that ieal estate taxes and mortgage interest, which
accrue ratably over the ear, are allocated on the basis of 36) days. The IRS,
Itil(o, (ui,iìn., t2-2 1SFC ¶9(i99. 5! AFTR 2(1 -(!5. 69! F29 (( A-9.
962).
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(:H,\1FF.R 6 Deductions and Losses. In General 6-23
however, (lisagreeS atid allocates real estate taxes aticl nioiigagc i ìtcrcst ou the basis
o! total days o! use. Other expenses (utilities, maintenance, depreciation, etc.) arc
allocated on the basis of total days used.
Jason rents his vacation home for 60 days and lives in the home for 30 days. The limita-
tions on personal/rental use residences apply. Jason's gross rent income is $10,000. For
the entire year (not a leap year), the real estate taxes are $2,190; his mortgage interest
expense is $10,220; utilities and maintenance expense equals $2,400; and depreciation
is $9,000. Using the IRS approach, these amounts are deductible in this specific order:
The nonrental use portion of real estate taxes and mortgage interest ($4,137 in this
case) is deductible if the taxpayer elects to itemize (see Chapter 10). The personal use
portion of utilities, maintenance, and depreciation is not deductible in any case. Jason
has a carryover of $5,873 ($6,000 $127) of the unused depreciation. Also note that
the basis of the property is not reduced by the $5,873 depreciation not allowed
because of the above limitation. (See Chapter 14 for a discussion of the reduction in ba-
sis for depreciation allowed or allowable.)
Using the court's approach in allocating real estate taxes and mortgage interest, Jason,
in Example 28, would have this result:
Jason can deduct $10,370 ($12,410 paid - $2,040 deducted as expense in computing
net rent income) of personal use mortgage interest and real estate taxes as itemized
deductions. u
Note the contrasting results in Examples 28 and 29. The IRS's approach
(Exu11ple 28) results in no rental gain or loss and an itcn3ized deduction tòr real
estate taxes and mortgage interest of $4,137. In Example 29, Jason has net rent
income of $360 and $10,370 of itemized deductions. The court's approach decreases
his taxable income by $10,010 ($10,370 itemized deductions less $360 net uent
income). The IRS's approach reduces his taxable inconic by only $4,137.
Assume instead that Jason in Example 28 had not lived in the home at all during the
year. The house is rental property. The rental loss is calculated as follows:
I .250A-3(d)(4)
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Whether any of the rental loss would be deductible depends upon whether Jason
actively participated in the rental activity and met the other requirements for passive
activity losses and at-risk limitations (discussed in Chapter 11).
June is a widow who lives near Pebble Beach. For each of the that their two-year-old child is ill. She asks if they can rent
past five years (since the death of her husband, an avid for two more days until the child feels better. June agrees
golfer), she has rented her home for 14 days to Fuzzy, a pro- but says that she will not accept any rent for the additional
fessional golfer who participates in the local golf classic. The stay. When June returns home, she finds the check on her
rent income is $14,000. During this period, June visits her sis- counter is for $16,000 rather than $14,000. The check is
ter in Reno. A neighbor who is a CPA advises June that she enclosed in a thank-you note from Fuzzy and his family.
does not need to report the $14,000 on her Federal income On her 2010 Federal income tax return, June does not
tax return because she did not rent her house for more than report any rent income or deduct any rental expenses.
two weeks during the year. According to her records, she rented her house for exactly
In 2010, Fuzzy and his family arrive as scheduled. At the two weeks. Can you justify June's treatment of the rent
end of the period, Fuzzy's wife contacts June and explains income and expenses?
Rhonda converts her residence to rental property on May 1 and rents it for the remainder
of 2010 for $5,600 and for all of 2011 for $8,400. The house would be classified as per-
sonal/rental use property (personal use days during 2010 are greater than both 14 days
and 10% of rental days) except that this is a qualified rental period. Therefore, Rhonda's
deduction for rental expenses is not limited to the gross income of $5,600 in 2010.
See Concept Swslnlarv 6.2 for a summary of tile vacation home rules.
3 2OA(cI).
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Cl-IAI'TIPR 6 Deductions and Losses. In General 6-25
Vacation/Rental Home
-
Treat as a second home.
Income is exciudible. No Yes
Itemize taxes and
interest
Were personal use days more
Property is a rental
than the greater of 14 days
b
No activity.
or i 00/n of the total rental days?
es
Allocate expenses to
personal use. Taxes are
itemized deductions.
Does rental portion of taxes and
interest expenses* exceed
Deduct interest and taxes
mnt morne5
Remaining expenses and
only to extent of income. income are from rental
+
Other expenses are non- activity subject to at-risk
Yes N'
deductible. Remainder of and passive activity
taxes and interest are loss rules.
itemized deduction Does rental portion of all other
expenses** except depreciation
exceed remaining net income?
+
No
0Allocated on the basis of 363 (366 in a leap year) days (court) or total days of use (IRS).
**Allocated on the basis of total days of use.
During the current year, Fred pays the property taxes on his son Vern's home. Neither
Fred nor Vein can take a deduction for the amount paid for Vern's property taxes. Fred
is not entitled to a deduction because the property taxes are not his obligation. Vein
cannot claim a deduction because he did not pay the property taxes. The tax result
would have been more favorable had Fred made a cash gift to Vern and let him pay the
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property taxes. Then Vern could have deducted the property taxes. Fred likely would
not be liable for any gift taxes depending upon the amount involved due to the annual
exclusion (see Chapter 1). A deduction would have been created with no cash differ-
ence to the family.
ai itou i its.
Hazel and Nathan are divorced during the current tax year. They had been married for
17 years and have two children, ages 9 and 11. As part of the divorce agreement,
Nathan paid all of the legal fees, which amounted to $24,300. The invoice from the
divorce lawyer listed the following charges:
Child custody agreement and determination of
amount of monthly child support $ 3,000
Divorce decree proceedings 10,000
County court filing costs 1,800
Property settlement determination 6,000
Tax consequences of property settlement 2,000
Tax consequences of child custody and child support
payments and tax filing status 1,500
Only the $3,500($2,000 + $1,500) for the charges relating to tax advice is deductible.
t 21:t). ')(''()(
l\.RUi. 72-alA !1i72-t(,.tt. 7t). Reg.
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CI IAPTER 6 Deductions and Losses: In General 6-27
property are 1101 capital expenditures and can be deducted as ordinary and necessary
business expenses. Repairing a roof is a deductible expense, hut replacing a roof is a
capital expenditure subject to depreciation deductions over its recovery period. The
tune-lip of a delivery truck is an expense; a complete overhaul probably is a capital
expenditure.
If tile expenchture is fòr an intangible asset (e.g., copyright, patent, covenant Ilot
to eonlpete, goodwill), tile capitalized expenditure can be amortized, regardless of
whether or not the intangible asset has an ascertainable life. Intangible assets,
referred to as 197 intangibles, are amortized over a 15-year statutory period using
tile straight-line method. See Chapter 8 for additional discussion of tile amortization
of intangibles.
Losses
Tile Code provides fòr tile disallowance of any "losses from saies or exchanges of
property ... directly or indirectly" between related parties:'' When the property is
subsequently sold to a noilrelated party, any gain recognized is reduced by the loss
presiously disallowed. Any disallowed hiss not used by the related-party buyer to off-
set the recognized gain on a subsequent sale or exchange to ai unrelated party is
permanently lost.
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Freida sells common stock with a basis of $10,000 to her son, Bill, for its fair market
value of $8,000. Bill sells the stock several years later for $11,000. Freida's $2,000 loss is
disallowed upon the sale to Bill, and only $1,000 of gain ($11,000 selling price $8,000
basis $2,000 disallowed loss) ¡s taxable to him upon the subsequent sale. u
George sells common stock with a basis of $10,500 to his son, Ray, for its fair market
value of $8,000. Ray sells the stock eight months later to an unrelated party for $9,000.
Ray's gain of $1,000 ($9,000 selling price $8,000 basis) is not recognized because of
George's previously disallowed loss of $2,500. Note that the offset may result in only
partial tax benefit upon the subsequent sale (as in this case). If the property had not
been transferred to Ray, George could have recognized a $1,500 loss upon the subse-
quent sale to the unrelated party ($10,500 basis $9,000 selling price). u
Pete sells common stock with a basis of $10,000 to an unrelated third party for its fair
market value of $8,000. Pete's son repurchased the same stock in the market on the
same day for $8,000. The $2,000 loss ¡s not allowed because the transaction is an indi-
rect sale between related parties.56 u
P147).
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CHAI' tER 6 Deductions and Losses: In GeneraI 6-29
deemed to own his or her proportionate share of stock owned by any partnership,
corporation, estate, or trust of which the taxpayer is a member. An individual is
deemed to own any stock owned, directly or indirectly, by his or her partner. How-
ever, constructive ownership by an individual of the partnership's and the other
partner's shares does not extend to the individual's spouse or other relatives (no
double attribution).
The stock of Sparrow Corporation is owned 20% by Ted, 30% by Ted's father, 30% by
Ted'smother, and 20% byTed'ssister. Oniulyl ofthecurrentyear,Ted loaned $10,000to
Sparrow Corporation at 8% annual interest, principal and interest payable on demand.
For tax purposes, Sparrow uses the accrual basis, and Ted uses the cash basis. Both are on a
calendar year. Since Ted is deemed to own the 80% owned by his parents and sister, he
directly and constructively owns 100% of Sparrow Corporation. If the corporation accrues
the interest within the taxable year, no deduction can be taken until payment is made to
Ted.
SUBSTANTIATION REQUIREMENTS
The tax law is built on a voluntary compliance system. Taxpayers file their tax
returns, report income and take deductions to which they are entitled, and pay their
taxes through withholding or estimated tax payments during the year. The taxpayer
has the burden of proof for substantiating expenses deducted on the returns and
must retain adequate records. Upon audit, the IRS will disallow any undocumented
or unsubstantiated deductions. These requirements have resulted in numerous con-
flicts between taxpayers and the IRS.
In the case of charitable contributions, Congress has enacted stringent substantia-
tion requirements. All cash contributions, for example, must be supported by
receipts (e.g., canceled checks) .' Single donations of $250 or more of both cash
and property require an acknowledgment from the charity. Substantial donations of
property (i.e., .500 or more) necessitate the filing of Form 8283 and may have to he
supported by appraisalssee Chapter 10 for further details.
Specific and more stringent rules for deducting travel, entertainment, and gift
expenses are discussed in Chapter 9. Certain mixed-use (both personal and business
use) and listed property are also subject to the adequate records requirement (dis-
cussed in Chapter 8).
the same time, she used the bonds as collateral on a bank loan of $100,000 at 8% inter-
est. A positive cash flow would result from the tax benefit as follows:
out on loan
Cash paid ($8,000)
from bonds
Cash received 6,000
Tax savings from deducting interest expense
(35% of $8,000 interest expense) 2,800
Net positive cash flow $ 800
I
R.l'ioc. 92-71, 1992-2 (.B. 437, addresss (ii( linThruCI's whcic clucks 2I2.
tIClot cctlIInC(I hI i linjucial i 511101100 01 wht'rt' e1ttotitic 1IiIIISI(1S 1111' "1205.
nadc.
103.
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To eliminate the possibility illustrated in Example 39, the Code specifically disal-
lows as a deduction the expenses of producing tax-exempt income. Interest on any
indebtedness incuined or continued to pinchase or carry tax-exempt obligations
11S() is disalloWed.
Judicial Interpretations
It is often difficult to show a direct relationship between bornuviuugs and insestrnenl
in tax-exeipt securities. Suppose, hr exaniple, tlit a taxpayer Ixrrows money, acids
it to existing fiunds, buys inyentouv and stocks, then later seils the inyeuutory and buys
nunuuicipal bonds. A series of transactions stich as these can conìpletelv obscutre an
connection between the loan and the tax-exempt investment. One solution would
he to disallow interest on any debt to the extent that the taxpayer holds an tax-
exempt securities. This approach would preclude individuals from deducting part of
their home mortgage interest ii tlie owned any municipal bonds. The law was not
intended to go to such extremes. Asaresult, judicial interpretations have tried to be
reasonable in disallowing interest deductions.
In one case, a company used uuuutnicipal bonds as collateral on short-terni loans to
meet seasonal lic1uiclitv needs.1't The court disallowed the interest deduction on the
grounds that the company could predict its seasonal liquuiditv needs. The company
could anticipate the need t borrow the mone\ to continue to carry the tax-exempt
securities. The saisie compatis was allowed an interest deduction on a building mort-
gage, even though tax-exempt securities it owned could have been sold to pay off the
mortgage. The court reasoned that short-term liquidity needs would have been
impaired if the tax-exempt securities were sold. Furthermore, the court ruled that
cari-ving the tax-exempt securities bore nui relationship to the long-term financing of
a construction project.
In January of the current year, Alan borrowed $100,000 at 8% interest. He used the
loan proceeds to purchase 5,000 shares of stock in White Corporation. In July, he sold
the stock for $120,000 and reinvested the proceeds in City of Denver bonds, the income
from which is tax-exempt. Assuming the $100,000 loan remained outstanding through-
out the entire year, Alan cannot deduct the interest attributable to the period in which
he held the bonds.
TAX PLANNING:
6.4 TIME VALUE OF TAx DEDUCTIONS
LO.4 Cash basis taxpayers often have the ability to make early payments for their expenses
Identify tax planning at the end of the tax ear. This may permit the payments to be deducted currently
opportunities for maximizing instead of in the fi)llowing tax year. In view of the time valuc' of money, a tax deduc-
deductions and minimizing the tion this year unav he worth more than the same rieduction next year. Before employ-
disallowance of deductions. ing this strategy, the taxpayer must consider next veal's expectedi income and tax
rates and whether a cash-flow problem may develop from earl payments. Thus, the
time value of money as well as tax rate changes must he considered when an expense
can be Paidl audi deducted! in either of two years.
Jena pledged $50,000 to her church's special building fund. She can make the contribu-
tion in December 2010 or January 2011. Jena is in the 35% tax bracket in 2010, and in
the 28% bracket in 2011. She itemizes in both years. Assume Jena's discount rate is 8%.
Ih /S( Oil 1/II (Iiíevinaìi. Iii IS., 05t tStC ¶í114A 2t SI-TR 20 153,
F.td 420 (( A-7. I
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(:F1ÀtJER6 Deductions and Losses. In General 6-31
If she takes the deduction in 2010, she saves $4,536 ($17,500 $12,964), due to the
decrease in the tax rates and the time value of money.
2010 2011
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6.3
Classification of Expenses
Deductible
Expense Item For AGI From AGI Not Deductible Applicable Code §
Investment expenses
Rent and royalty X 562(a)(4)
Allotherinvestments X4 5212
Employee expenses
Commuting expenses X § 262
Travel and transportation1 X4'5 5 162(a)(2)
Reimbursed expenses1 X § 62(a)(2)(A)
Moving expenses X § 62(a)(1 5)
Entertainment1 X4'5 § 162(a)
Teacher supplies X11 X4 § 62(a)(2)(D)
All other employee expenses1 X4'5 § 162(a)
Certain expenses of performing artists X §62(a)(2)(B)
Trade or business expenses X §5162 and 62(a)(1)
Casualty losses
Business X § 165(c)(1)
Personal X6 § 165(c)(3)
Tax determination
Collection or refund expenses X8 X §5212 and 62(a)(1) or(4)
Baddebts X 55166and62(a)(1)or(3)
Medical expenses X7 § 213
Charitable contributions X 5170
Taxes
Trade or business X §5162, 164, and 62(a)(1)
Personal taxes
Real property X §164(a)(1)
Personal property X § 164(a)(2)
State and local income orsales X §5164(a)(3) and (b)(5)
Investigation of a business2 X §5162 and 62(a)(1)
Interest
Business X 55162, 163, and 62(a)(1)
Personal X9 X3 X1° §5163(a), (d), and (h)
Qualified tuition and related expenses X 55 62(a)(18) and 222
All other personal expenses X § 262
1Deduction for AGI if reimbursed, an adequate accounting is made, and employee is required to repay excess reimbursements.
2Provided certain criteria are met.
3Subject to the excess investment interest and the qualified residence interest provisions.
4Subject (in the aggregate> to a 2%-of-AGI floor imposed by § 67.
5Only 50% of meals and entertainment are deductible.
6Subject to a $100 ($500 in 2009) floor per event and a 1 0%-of-AGI floor per tax year.
'Subject to a 7.5%-of-AGI floor.
8Only the portion relating to business, rental, or royalty income or losses.
9Only the portion relating to student loans.
10Other personal interest is disallowed.
Subject to a statutory limit of $250.
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CHAP FER 6 Deductions and Losses: In General 6-33
Under these circumstances, the IRS might try to overcome the presumption. u
IOf(Oii, S?. y. (0?1??1I.. 81-2 t SIC ¶1955. 55 ,\F FR 26 85-302, 748 1.2(1 89(1
(CA-4, 1984), ìey 'g45 T( NI 1084, t.( .Nlcnio. 1983I (is.
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What If?
From a tax planning perspecli\ e, should Dr. Pas ne calculate his deductible business
expenses using the accrual iuuetluod of ac ( ouuuuting or the cash method
In Chapter 4, we concluded that Dr. Pa\ use could minimize his Federal income tax
liability if he used the cash method of accounting. If thc' cash method is used fòr
reporting the gross income of a Schedule C business, then the cash method must he
used for reporting the deductible business expenses that will appear on Schedule C
of Form 1040. So the correct anioumnt of deductible businc'ss c'xpc'nses fr
hi dental
practice using the cash method of accouuuutiuug is calculated as hillows:
Salaries including FICA($120,000 $5,000) $115,000
Building rent 24,000
Depreciation of dental equipment and office furnishings and
equipment 52,000
Insurance (malpractice and of dental equipment and office
furnishings and equipment) 22,000
Dental supplies 16,000
Office supplies 3,000
Contribution to Virginia gubernatorial campaign fund of
Bob McDonnell 0-
Contribution to Virginia gubernatorial campaign fund of
Creigh Deeds
Legal expenses associated with patient lawsuit (jury decision for
o
defendant) 4,000
Draw by Dr. Payne for living expenses 0
$236,000
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CFIAPIER 6 Deductions and Losses: In General 6-35
LO.1 r\ll iIlOIfle flltNt I)C t(J)O1tCd ìtìd all deductions are allowed unless specifically
disallowed in the (o(lc." I)isciiss.
LO.1 Discuss the difference iii the tax treatment of deductions ¡or 011(1 deductions ¡rom
AGI.
LO.1 (lassif' each of tllc fidlowing expenditures as a deduction JorA(1, a deduction frouìu
A(;I , or not deductil)]c:
a. Allison pays qualihc(I uloving expenses.
I). Ernalic gives cash to the Girl Scouts.
e r \I11( us l)1\S 11)1utlulV aliiiva iv to luis f 11111(1 sl)1is.
(1 Ar unId l'Y5 real estate taxes levied by the colult\ 011 his J)crso11tl 1csi(Icncc.
e. April f)1YS the lJrellli(11115 for ii1s(iit11ce on her l)(1511t1 residence.
,i. LO.1 (lassifv each of tue hdlowiiig expcil(liliules as t dedticiion /oìA(l, a deduction ¡0)0?
AGI, or not dc(Iuictil)lc:
\111O5 c( )iltril)Iltes lo his H .1.. 1 1) plan ( i.e., a lti1e1]]eIit plait foi a sclf-culploycd indi-
\i(It?1l
Keith P"5 (llil(l support to luis h)rnlcr vife, Reuce, for the support of son, tlir
Cli ris.
C. Judy pays professional ducs that arc reiiììbtirsed b lier eniplover.
(1. Ted Jt5 $500 as tile lliOiilhh niortgage payment on his personal residence. Of this
t1110i?ilt, S I 00 represents a paviuleilt oit l)mhicip)11, and 5400 represents an interest
1,vnn P1\'S a n)viiug c0rnpu11V fòr 010510g her household goods to l)etroit sclie resli(
is starting a iues job. Slle is n( u 1CiniI)tirSed by her employer.
Ralph l') propeltv taxes ori his l)e151i)1l residence.
6. LO.1 Larry and Susan each invest $10,000 in separate investment activities. They each
incur (leduCtible expenses of $800 associated with their respective i uvestilients. Explain
why I,aurv's expenses might he pioperiv classified as deductions ¡ìomACl (itemized
deductions) and Susan's expenses uiight be appropnatelv classified as deductions ¡orAGl.
7. LO.1 PolIv incurred and paid for the following expeiises during the year.
(ou tributi on to a traditional IRA of $5 000.
Interest of 82,000 paid ou lie r sii irle u t loan.
Contribution of $2,200 to the School of Business at State University.
Mortgage interest of 800 on lier personal residence.
Utilities of $2,800 oui her personal residence.
Which of these expenses can he deducted by Polly?
Classify the deductions as ¡orAGI or ¡rom AGI.
8. LO.1 Mabel, a machinist employed by Silver Airlines, owns 100 shares of Silver Airlines
stock. Silver has 900,000 shares of stock outstanding. Mabel speuds $1 500 to trave] to
Dciìs er för Silver's annual meeting. Her expenses would have been S750 more, hut she
was permitted to 0v free on Silver. She attended both days of the shareholders' meeting
and actively participated. What are the tax consequences of the trip for Mabel?
9. LO.1 What is the significance of the concept of reasonableness with respect to closely
held corporitliouls? How does the usual treatment of excessive pavuleuts affect corporate
taxable income
10. LO. i \Vhiclu of tI ie following mses are deductible?
1
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I ] . LO. i vIuy !'ite ()WIÌS ì building t!itt s!ie !eases to an i niliviclita! \vh( ) OpCIdtCS a gJocerv
Stole. Rent 11iCOfl1( IS S I O,O()() ¿11(1 IcI Ì ta! eje uses ar S6.000. ( )n iliat F uni I 04()
SC!I((1iI!( nl- su! c(!uIcs ai e the i U(oiflC ÌI5(1 (XJ)(iiS(S icjioi1ccl
LO. 2I)istingiiish between ti e tuning for t he recording t d a (!edliCtioi i 1111(1Cl the iash
method versus the accrual method. I)iscuss any exceptions.
LO.2 Aiihrs a cash basis and calendar ear taxpa\ em, decides to reduce his taxable
income for 20 i O by buvi ng $45,000 svor h of si ipplies 011 Deceissber 27, 20] 0. Ihe
suppiies wi!! be used tip in 20!!.
a. ( ali Anbrv deduct t he expendi tore fiN 20 0? 1
b. \\ tn!d oiim answer nì pint (a) change if Atibrv bough t ti ie supplies becanse t he
seller was g ung Hat of husi i tess and ofiered a signihcan t disc toil t (111 the price?
1
LO.2 What is the signihcance of thea!! events ani! economic perfoi'iìtnce tests
LO.2 Pe!icaii, an accrual method taxpayer, provides a one-year warraiitv on the vacuum
cleaners it man ufacuies. (lai ins under t he warian tv tvpical!v anionn t to 2% of sales. (an
Pe!ican nse the reserve method to account for the warranty expense?
0, LO.3 Are amuv bribes or kickbacks (le(lnctii)le?
ISSUE ID 7. LO. 3 Ted is ais agent fo r an airline mai tuf acture r and is negotiating a sa!e ss idi a
repiesel Itative of the L S. govern men t aii(! svi tu a iepteseiì tative of a deve!opi ng coi uni rs.
Ier!'s ci nspany has siif licient capacity to handle nl!\ ( me d t! ie tadeis. Bot ii orders ivil!
(
have the sanie (ont iact price. Ted believes that if his ein piover will am it hori,e a $500,000
payment to die representative of the foreign country, fie cami guarantee the saie. He is not
slur' that he can obtain the same result with the U.S. goseniiiient. identifs the relevant
t1X i551 les ) Ted.
22, LO.3 Agnes, aii executive of a ]argr' corporation, receives a salary of Sl .5 million. Taylor,
wilt) is an executive of another largr' corporation, receives a salan- ofS 1.3 million. Agnes's
corpOrati( tn is pr'rnuitterl to rieduct all of hei salarv whilr' Taylor's corporatiol i is pr'miiiittr'rl
to deduct only part of his. Nr'ithr'r corporation is a TARP recipient. Assuming both salarir's
air' reasonahir', explain dir' result.
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CHAPITR6 DeductionsandLosses.-ln General 6-37
23. LO.3 Ralph is the owner of a restaurant in Worcester and is considering expanding to
Cambridge. He can purchase either an existing restaurant or an econoniv hotel (that
(10es not offer fòod services). What are the tax consequences to Ralph as to the Costs
inctined in investigating each of these husinesses
21. LO.3 Aimee has been raising quarter horses !òr three sears. Each year, her losses liase ISSU EID
buen approxiniatels S-10,000. She projects that her losses for the current sear will he
about S25.000. ¡ losseser. if she sells a pninusing mare before the end of the year. the
S25,000 projected loss can he converted into a 54,001) probt. Without the perceised need
to produce a current-year profil, Aimee would prefer to keep the mare for bicediug
purposes. Identif\ the relus ant tax issues for Aiiuee.
LO.3 Are there an% circuilistalices under which taxpa\ers cari retit their personal
residence and not bu ieq uired to report the lent income receised Does titis liase an
effect ou the deductions allowed?
LO.3 Under what circumstances may a taxpayer deduct a rental loss associated shh a
vacation home?
LO.3 Karen and And OSS n a beach house. 1hey has-e an agreement with a tentai ISSU E ID
agent to rent it up to 200 dass per s ear. For tue past three s ears, the agent has
been 5i1( cesslul iii tenting it loi 200 dass. Karen and Antis tise the beach house for
one sveek during the summer and one week (luring Thanksgiving. Their (latighiter,
Sarah, a college student, has asked if she and sonic friends can use the beach house
fòr the sseek of spring break. Advise Karen antI Andy how thus should responti and
itlen tifs ans rules ant tax issues.
25. LO.3 Hank was truisferi-ed troni Phoenix to Noi-th Dakota ou Mai-ch 1 of the current
sear. He immediately put lus home in Phoenix up for tent. Thu home was rented Mas i
to November 30 and ssas vacant driritig the month of Deceniber. lt ivas rented again on
¡autels I for six months. What expenses, if ans, can Hatik deduct on his return? Which
tleductions aie ¡orAGi auch which ones are ¡10m AGI?
29. LO.3 Ras loses his job as a result of a corporate downsizing. Consequentl , he falls behind DECISION MAKING
on the mortgage pavineiits ou his personal residence. His friend Tech would like to make
the delinquent moltgage pasineuts for hum.
a. Could the pasments he structured so that Ras cali detltict the mortgage interest?
ha Could the 910meIi t arruigement riens both Rasand Turi a mortgage interest
deduction?
u. Could the payments be structured so that Ted could dedtict the mortgage intel-est?
70. LO.3 Edna incurs various legal fees iii obtaining a disorce. Which types of expenses
associated svidi the disorce are deductible b ErIna, and which ai e not?
31. LO.3 Address the follossing ioies: ISSUE ID
Which of the fohlosving are related parties under 267?
Fat her
Brother
Niece
Sister-in-lass
Cousin
Grandson
orporatioll a ud a sIi aiuti oldei who ossus 59 9/ of the stock
\Vhat negatise tax consequences can result front being classified as a related party?
32. LO.3 jarret osvns (7t of Sasannah bonds sithi an adjusted basis of $100,000. During the
veal, hie recuis es interest pas munis of $3,000. Jarret partially financed the purchase (If the
bonds b borrossing $80,001) at 5Yc interest. Jarrets interest payments on the loan this
sear are $4,000, auid his principal pas ments are $900.
Should Janet report an interest income this year?
(4ni Jarret deduct any interest expense this year?
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LO.1 Beth is a sell-eniploved CPA. She and Steve, her eniplovee, attend a conference in
T Ioustoiì spoiìsored hv the American Institute of (PAs. 11w hillowiug expenses are
incnrred during the trip:
Beth Steve
Conference registration $500 $500
Airfare 900 600
Taxi fares 75 0-
Lodging in Houston 700 300
Beth pays fòr all these expenses. Calculate the effect of these expenses on Beth's A( 1.
DECISION MAKING LO. i l)aniel is single and lias t he following i nconu' and expenses in 20 I 0:
in 2010. She has no other income, hier imiedical expenses for the ear totaled 52,700.
During the year, she suffered a casualty loss of $3,500 when hier apartment htniied.jnlie
contributed $1950 to lier church. On the advice of her parents, julie is trying to decide
whether to contribute $1,000 to the traditional IRA her parents have set tip fòr hier. \'hat
effect would the IRA contribution have ou Julie's itemized deduetions
the stock of Thrush. Cassie is the president and
LO.1 Drew arid! his wife Cassie own all of
Drew is the vice president. Cassie and Drew are pair! salaries of 8400.000 and $300.000,
respectively, each \ear. They consider the salaries to be reasonable baser! on a
comparison with salaries paid fòr coinparahle positions in coinparahle companies. Thm'
project Thrush's taxahie income for next year. before their salaries, to he $800,000. They
decide to place their four teenage children on the payroll and to pay them total salaries
ofS 100,000. The children will each work about five hours per week 6w Thrush.
a. What are Drew and Cassie trying to achieve by hiring the clnldien
h. Calculate the tax consequences of hiring the chilrlren on Thrush, anrl on Drew anrl
Cassie's family.
LO.1 During the current tax year, Jill incurs losses front sales of the following:
Green, Inc. stock $3,500
Personal use car 7,000
Vacation home used only for personal use 9,000
Aqua, Inc. bonds 1,500
Refrigerator used in personal residence 1,200
Rental property 2,300
Investment land 5,000
Dining tIre \ear, Jill sells stock in l'umple. lite., for a tecogniied gain of 825,000.
a. Calculate Jill's deductible losses.
h. ( 1asstfv t lie deduct ihle losses as der! itct ions ¡oiA( i or dedi met i( ins f)S)i/1 A(1
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CI IAFTER ti Deductions and Losses.' In General 6-39
LO.2 The incoirre staletirent loi Monroe's hitsitress shows the followiir i'eveiriiesaird
expenses h n' 20 I 0, the initial sear of ope rauoi rs:
LO. 2 Doris, a calci ida r year taxpa\ er, is tire ownei' ol a sole proprieu )rsir Ip ti ial oses i 1w
cash method. On N( n einher 1, 20 i 0, she leases w i ol fice hoirlrli rg io use iii her' hirsi ress
loi $90,000 loi an i8-nioirih period. Irr (011er to ohtaiir tins hrs'ot'ahle lease i-re. sire pass
the 890,000 ai i he incepi jolt (0 r lie lease. l--h ni irr neu ei ir expet ise liras' Doris dedi 1er on
lier 201(1 tax return?
LO.2 1)uck, air accrual hasis u rrporatioir, spoirsored a ro rck e >ncert oir Deceiriher 29,
20 0. (r( ISS receipts were 300,000. 3ire lollowu n g expeirses were i ircorred airO paid as
1
indicated:
Since rire ('Oiiseuiirr was 1101 selredoiled ro he riscO :rgaiui uiriil January 15. rite
('Our jiíinr\ ss'irlr ss'irneln I)urek ira(i c'orrrirao'reii (lid noi acirialls- pei'lOn'iii tiri' cl('anrurl) nnriil
Jaurluan's' 8-1(1, 2(111.
Calcrilate Dnek's Irer income fi-orti tiri' coircel'! loi' lax pnirposes loi' 2010.
41. LO.3 Dortig' incon'n'ed air(i pai(l rue lollowinrg expenses (itn'iirg lire s'eri':
$50 four a rieket lot' r'nmlnlinrg a t'ed light surlie lue n'as cornirrutinrg ro work,
$100 loi' a ricket lori' parking ut r lr:rirdicapped parking spac''.
$200 u an ati) rires- ro) i'epn'esenit h inri irr ti'af'lic conn't as to tIre two) i ickers.
$500 ro) an airoi'nes ro (liait dii agn'eeirienir ss'itir a teunairt foi' a one-veal' lease on air
aparr ni e nl thai Dot 1g Owins,
$1 000 to air altornrev io nregor iaie a n'cOi nei join in his ch 11cl suppu lit payne nits.
-12. LO.3 Chris urins air illegal ganirhliirg hoisiiress. Crirreiti-vear' expenrses ,n'e as l'ollows:
Salaries $360,000
Illegal kickbacks 40,000
Rent 24,000
Utilities 3,600
Bribes to police 20,000
Telephone 5,000
Life insurance premiums for employees 30,000
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43. L0.3 Edssarri, an attorney, is hired hs a tilajor accounting lutti to i-epi-eseiit ii and clients
in dealing ssitlt members of tite U.S. Congress. Time accounting finn is smmj)porting liahilits
reforimì that would limit the "j> du t and ses eral I iahilitv of professionals such as attori mes s
and ( P\s. Eduard is paid a retainer of $40,000, 550,000 for chargeable dine, and
reimhum semcnt of $12,500 for meal and entertaitmtncnt expenses incurred in meeting
with members of Congiess and their staffs. \Vhidì of these lient> lo Fldwarri an the
1
Orn rlcdu it
DECISION MAKING 4 i. L0.3, 4 \mbei , a publicis held corporation (noi a TARP recipient), currentis pays its
presiden t an annual salars of 5900,000. In addii ion, it co n tribu tes $20,000 ai u muai i) to a
COMMUNICATIONS definen coni ribution pension plan lòr Inri> .\sa means of increasing company
profitthihits, tite lxoud of diectors decides to increase the presirlent's cornpeilsation.
Two pr posals are being considered. Tnder the first proposal, the salar\ and pension
contribution for the president would be increased bs 30Y Under the second pi oposal,
.
Amber wotdd implen> eut a perfònnance-based compensation progm am t hat is proje( ieri
to pros ide about the saine anlonni of additional compensation and pension n oitttihutioit
for tite president.
a. Es alrtate t he alternai ives f rom tite jjersJjr'ctis e of \nd)er, lite.
h. Prepare a letter to .niber's board of dirnen n s thai ei in tains s our recoinniendattotis.
Address tite letter to tite bmud clmairpei son, \gnes Ridnile, >shose aniriress is 100
¡aines Tower, Ches elanrf. 01-1 44106.
45. L0.3 \'erniillion, ltic., a pithltcls held corpomatiomi (not a T \RP recipient), pass the
billowing salaries to its exen huyes:
Retirement Plan
Salary Bonus Contribution
Vemmnillh in normalls (loes miot p:is bonmmses, bitt after i es iessmng the results of operations
for the year, the hoard of nIirectors decided to its a 5( homitts to selected executives.
What is t he anion i t t of these pasme i its ti mat Vemin ilhi ni miia dednct
4h. L0.3 ¡uds, thin' osvnen of a sres successful restammm ant chain, is explorimmg tIme possibmhmis
of expannlin g 1h e ch ai ri ini o a city i n t he ne ighhot1 i ig state Site i mmc nms $38,000 (if
expenses associateni sviuhi this insestigatiott. Based ori thin' megttlators emisironnment fòr
rn'stanrammts in tltn' cits , sia' decides not io expand. During the year, stir' also
investigates opn'mung a hotel that will be part of a national hotel chiait>. Her e\pn'nses
h ir this ate S54,000. The hotel begins operations on Nosemimhem Determine the
h .
anloitmlt that Jnds cati dednmct itt tite entremit sear for iris estigatimmg these tuo
h)(isi ii ('sses.
47. L0.3 Tim as ehen to a neighmboring state to imisestigate tite ptmmcitase of two mestattmatits.
um
His expenses inchmnied travel, legal, accoumrtitig, amid rniscehlamieons expemlses. I he total
was $45,000. Ht iticurrud thu uxpummse iii Jtmmie amid Juls 2010. ITnnler tite followitig
nircunmstamices, ishat cari Tim nfenitmct in 2010?
a. Ilium seas in the restaurant business amid did miot acqutire thin' tsso resualimants.
h. '1 ini seas in the restahmmarmt business amtd acquired the tsvo restanmamits amin hegati oper-
e. Titiu nlinl riot acquire Oie iseo restammramits attn seas rIot in the restauramit business.
rl. l'inni acqumireni the tseo restatirants, htmt seas miot im> tite restaurant hnsiness uhen be
acquired thmemtt, Operatiomis hx'gui ori September I, 2010.
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CI IAPTER 6 Deductions and Losses: In General 6-41
48. LO.3 ¡ Unis makes niacrame animals in his spare time. He sold $9,000 worth of animais
during the year and incurred expenses as follows:
Supplies $6,000
Depreciation on business property 4,000
Advertising 2,000
His AGI, without considering the c1ì'ct of the sales of the macramé animals, is $100,000.
Calculate Louis's AGI if the activity is:
a. A hobby.
h. r\ business.
19. LO.3 Sandra, an orthodontist, is single and has net earnings of $90,000 from her
practice. In addition, she collects antique books thai she buys and sells at antique shows.
Shu participates in six to eight weekend shows per year. Her income and expenses for the
enrien t ve rare as follows:
Revenue from sale of antique books $22,000
Expenses
Costof goods sold 12,000
Show registration costs 3,000
Advertising 1,000
Dealer's licenseannual fee 500
Insurance 900
Depreciation of display cases 1,200
Sandra has no other itenis that would affect her AGI. Itemized deductions consisting of
taxes, interest, and charitable contributions arc $19,000. Calculate Sandra's taxable
income if the antique hook activity is classiuierl as:
A hobby.
A business.
LO.3 Adelene, who lives in a winter resort area, rented her personal residence for 14 days
while she was visiting Brussels. Rent income was S5,000. Related expenses fòr the year
were as follows:
Conipute Anna's net rent income or loss and the amounts she can itemize on
lier tax return, using the court's approach to allocating property taxes and
interest.
I-low would your niswer in part (a) clifier using the IRS's niethod of allocating prop-
erty taxes and interest?
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2. LU_3 I-10W would \i)1ii 0115501 iii Pi 01)1(10 al (lill('I il \iuuia 110(1 1(111(11 uh Iiouisc loi
87 dOVS 011(1liad (151(1 pcisouialls foi l3 das
1
i3. LO1, 3 (;lucc, siusglc, 0i 40. 101(1 tIll' lOIl()Wulig luiCOulS( aid (xp('isses during tOc oar
(iou a Icaj oar):
Income
Salary $43,000
Rental of vacation home (rented 60 days, used
personally 60 days, vacant 245 days) 4,000
Municipal bond interest 2,000
Dividend from General Electric 400
Expenses
Interest
On home mortgage 8,400
On vacation home 4,758
On loan used to buy municipal bonds 3,100
Taxes
Property tax on home 2,200
Property tax on vacation home 1098
State income tax 3,300
Statesalestax 900
Charitable contributions 1,100
Tax return preparation fee 300
Utilities and maintenance on vacation home 2,600
Depreciation on rental 50% of vacation home 3,500
(alciilate COces taxable luicoiuie for the year belote personal exelluptiouls.
DECISION MAKING I. LO.1, 3, 4 Velma arid (lle operate a retail 'porus iiieiuìorahilia s0op. ho lie cuiruent
sear, sales les entie is 8i(),00() aiud expeuises ne as follows:
Cost of goods sold $19,000
Advertising 1,000
Utilities 2,000
Rent 4,000
Insurance 1,500
Wages to Boyd 7,000
Velma anrl Clyde pas $7,000 in wages to Boyd, a part-linie employee. Siuice tIsis aulioliult us
$1,000 below the uuiuuiuuunu wage. Bosd ulireateuis to file a couiipl:nuit svitO the appropriate
Federal agenc) .AItIu)ugh VeInai auirl COde pu\ no attention to Bos(ls threat, Clielsie
(Vehuuias uisotlser) gis es Bov(1 a check for $1 (8)1) for ube (hispiuted wages. Both Velina aun
(ide ridicule Chelsie Ow wasting uuuouiev svhuen they learn what she lias (ioule. hie retail
shop is the only sosiuce of nuconle ldr Velina and (ide.
( alcol ate VeIn io aus nl (Ils de' s A( 1
(Ian (Ihelsie nleduuet the $1,000 paviuueuiu oui lieu tax ietluiuW
e. Floss could the tax positloil of the patties be niipiosed
iTu. LU_3, 4 Arnold is psuicliasiuìg a lnisiuuess from Alissa. Flue auuionuit beiiug paid exceeds the
huir market saisie of tIse inleistifiable assets of die bsusiiuess Os $900,000. Adose .\tiudd on
the tax consequences of the $900,000 being allocated to goodwill seisuis ut being allocated
to a 10-seat covenant hot to compete.
DECISION MAKING 50. LU_3, 4 }as 's sole proprieuoushi ip lias the h dÌoss ing assets:
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CHA['TFR 6 Deductions and Losses. In General 6-43
Ihe building in shiclì Ja\ 's business is located is leased. flic lease expires al the und
of the veau.
Jay is age 70 and would like to retire. ¡ te expects lo be in the 35% tax bracket. Jay is
negotiating the sale of the business with Lois, a key employee. They have agreed on the
!4ir market value of the assets, as indicated above, and agree the total ptirckise price
should be about 5200,000.
Advise Jay regarding how the sale should be structured.
Advise la)is regarding how the purchase should be structured.
e. What might they do to achieve an acceptable compromise?
57. LO.3, 4 Eleanor Saxon sold stock (basis of $65,000) to her brother, Ridge, for S59,000, DECISION MAKING
the Lur market value.
What ue the tax consequences to Eleanor? COMMUNICATIONS
What are the tax consequences to Ridge if he later sells the stock för $72,000? Foi
552,000? For $64,000?
e. Write a letter to Eleanor in which ou iidòrni lier of the tax consequences if she sells
the stock to Ridge for $59,000 and explain how a sales transaction could be steile-
ttired that would produce better tax consequences for hei. Eleanor's address is 32
Country Lane, Lawrence, KS 66045.
58. LO.3 The Robin Corporation is owned as follows:
Isabelle 26%
Peter, Isabelle's husband 19%
Sonya, Isabelle's mother 15%
Reggie, Isabelle's father 25%
Quinn, an unrelated party 15%
Robin is on the accrual basis, and Isabelle and Peter are on the cash basis. Isabelle antI Pe-
ter each loaned the Robin Corporation $40,000 out of their separate htnds. On Decem-
ber 31, 2010, Robin accrued interest at 7% on both loans. The interest was pud on
February 4, 2011. What is the tax treatment of this interest expense/income to Isabelle,
Peter, and Robin?
59. LO.3 What is Karla's constructive ownership of Wren Corporation if the 3,100 shares of
Wren are held as follows?
Karla 800
Samantha, Karla's aunt 500
Barbara, Karla's partner 130
Vera, Karla's granddaughter 670
Unrelated parties 1,000
60. LO.3 Chris hasa brokerage account and buys on the margin, which resulted in an
interest expense of $15,000 during the year. Income generated through the brokerage
account was a.s follows:
Municipal interest $ 40,000
Taxable dividends and interest 160,000
How much investment interest can Chris deduct?
61. LO.1 lee incurred the following expenses in the ctnreut tax year. Indicate, iii the spaces
provided, whether each expenditure is (leductible /orAGl, horn AGI, or not deductible.
Deductible
Not
Expense Item For AGI From AGI Deductible
Lee's personal medical expenses
Lee's dependent daughter's medical expenses
e. Real estate taxes on Lee's rental property
(I. Real estate taxes on Lee's personal residence
e. Real estate taxes on daughter's personal
residence
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6-44 PART 3 Deductions www.cengage.com/taxation/swft
Deductible
Not
Expense Item ForAGI FromAGI Deductible
TAX RETURN PROBLEM 62. Helen Archer, age 38. is siliglc and 1ivs al I 20 Saiihoiiic ,\vcnne, Spriiiglicld, II . 6()740.
Her Social Security ) I tiInl)C1 is i 23-4i--6789 I ¡dcii has 1x ii c1i occd I tom
. hi I ( Onu I
hushanci, i\.11err, !òr tu icc cais. She Iris a soi i Jas )i1 5511(1 15 agF I 7, ai ìd a rho igh ici,
UH&RBLOCI(
,
Jrine, \vli() is age 18.Jasons Social Sccuiit niiinhcr is I I ] 1-1 1 I i and lime's s I 23-
45-6788. I1CCfl does not wish to coriinhiite $3 to the Presidential 1'Iectioii (aiiipaign
FunGI.
1-lelen, an a(lveltising executive. eartieci a salary of $70,{$)() ii i 2(6)9. Hei ciìiplo\ci
withheld $7,700 iii Ferlerai incoiiìe tax, $3, I 00 in stale iiicoiiic tax. an(1 the appIO)1idle
amount of FIC tax: $4,34() for Social ScciIiiI\ lax and $1 ,0 5 tor Medicare tax.
I
Helen has legal custody olJasoiì ii1 Jiiiie. Tue (h\oiCc (leClee Pr\1(i(S thai 1-Juico
is to receive the depeildcilc\ dcdiiciioos for thu Chii(hcO. Jason li\cs with ins failìcr
during surnoier vacation. Aiheri indicates that his uxpeoses iorjasinì tic S i 0,500. Helen
can (IC)Cl.lfllCOt thai she spent $5,500 for Iasoo's soppoit (hong 2009. iii pliot cars,
1-Juico gave a signed Forni $732 to Alberi regardiirgJason. For 2009. sOc Iras dccidcd not
to do so. Heien pl()Vidcs all ofjiine's sUppOrt.
Hcien's iiiothcr dieci on January 7, 2009. Heleo inlrcritccl assets vorih S500.00()
froin lier inothc'r. As the soie heoc(ìciai' f her iììother's life insurance policy, Helen
received insurance proceeds of $275,000. Her inothcr's cosi basis for thu lifc insurancc
policy was $90,000. Helen's favorite allot gavc her $13,000 for ircr birthda in October.
On November 8, 2009, Helen sells fòr $18,000 Amber stock that she han purchased
for $23,000 from her first cousin, Walt, on December 5, 2005. Walt's cost basis for the
stock was $26,000, and the stock was worth $23,000 on December 5, 2005. On Deccmber
1, 2009, Helen sold Falcon stock for $13,500. Suc had acquired thu stock on July 2, 2007,
for S7,000.
An examination of Helen's records reveals that shc rcceiverl the following:
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CHAPTER 6 Deductions and Losses: In General 6-45
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THOMSON REUTERS Note: Solutions to Research Problems can be prepared by using the Checkpoint
Student Edition online research product, which is available to accompany this text. It is
Checpoinr Student Edition
also possible to prepare solutions to the Research Problems by using tax research mate
riais found in a standard tax library.
Itesearch Problem i . R il)ill , I nc. , 00(1 U ic1 t1l th assc Is of Spoiiiw, I iìc . I ii RI(111 ion RO1)ifl
,
tSSUI11('(1 certaji lial)ilil ies of Sf)aÌÌ )\\ . Robi n ;tgicd i1ht it would he Icgollv resf)onsil)lc 1
;l11\ judgiìicin iii a f)alt'lit inh1i11(lfl('I1t cl;uin lxiiìg litigaicci Igains1 Sf)aIIO\\. I'lXf)(FIS'
Of)lfliOIlS ifl(1iCl1('(1 tlìit t1( likelihood t1ii a ontiiìini lial)lIlt\ \OU1(1 iesiilt was rInotc
(i .c., lc1vcen OX and íX).
,-\fìei a trial, a jwv (Ol1(lli(ICd thai fxlt(nt iiifiingciociìt 101(1 occuIIc(I afl(1 a\VaI(1C(I a
.i ucig-ine ot of S5 million . Robin paid tlic S5 nillion ai hd tictcd it as an oIdinal\ md
1
imecessar business expet 15e. t pou audi t i tie I RS reclassified t lie S.5 in illiou i pavmnemit ai md
treated i t asacapitid expenditure iuiicler 263. Eval i matt' il me ( isit ions taken by R( bium
amid by the IRS.
COMMUNICATIONS Research Problem 2. Gray Chemimical Conipaliv iumaniifactiimed 1estuciçk's that wete toxic. Oser
the coulse of several yeats, the toxic waste coutanmnuated the au and water around tIme
coupins's plant . Several eniplosees smilfeied toxic poisoning, amid the Emmsironuìeimtal
Protection Agency cited the company for violations. in court, the judge founri guilty
and imposed fines of Sl'i mullion, lime company voinutariiv set np a charitable tumid for the
purpost' of bettering the environment and funded it with SS imuilion. The conÌpitn\
incurred legal expenses in seit 11g up the foundation and defending itself in court. t'In'
mOult reduced the fine troni $ i mitiliim ni to $7 miìiiiion
Grts Chemical (ollmi;iulv deducted the 58 mullion paid to time foundation and time
legal expenses incurred. The IRS disalb uwt'd hotu deduct jolis on the grouiuds that ti me
pavumment was, in fact, a fine and iii violation of public policy.
( rav's presirfent led Jones, has coli tact ed soll ieg;u(lumug ti me dedtictibihi t\ of ihm e
,
57 milhon fine, the $8 million pavnieumt to the tomimudation, and time legal fees. Write a letter
to Mr. Jones that contains vomir advice aun prepale a milenio fòr time tax files. Gmav's address
is 200 Lincoln Center, Oniahma, NE 68182.
list 0/ mcsp(Im( II
J(m 1h01 (11(15:
iecle1ìtll)ulah ptllp5t'S, t hey tiso 1)1tn ned to ment mt through the teal h ag euucy that liad
hannlle(h time l)im1('Iiise iii order to hel1i pitY the lumortg;tge pavuumeimts, P1'Pm'1tY taxes, at mtl
liitil mtn'lltnce costs. Rex is t slirgeom , annI .\gmues is a cotimiselor.
m
The beach Imouse was jim iieed d simbstam tuai l5'i)tii5. Ratimet t letti imiiing a coil tractor,
m
Rex and Agmues nlecinleni they wotdd nsake tIme repairs tliemuist'hes. Dining hotim high school
and college, Rex had woikeni suluilumels in coumstructioms. him addmtion, hum' liant takn'ìu tmi
tdsmm iced course itm sv( modisorkitig aiid ielatem1 stibjects fìoimm t local coinnillrmltv college
several years agnu.
I)umiug 2008, according to a log mumain taineni by timm' 1-larrells, tiue occupied t he beach
house 38 (lays anni rented it 49 nays. Flue log also tmudicated that on 24 of thu.' 38 days that
they occupied time bn'ach hotmse, olIn' or both (uf them were n'mugaged iii work on the beach
house. Iheir two teenage chmiinlren were with thn'ni omm ali of thesn' days, httt nlmd not hn'ip
with the work heimig nhoiun'. On their 2008 income tax return, Rex annI Agmues, who fiin'd a
joui t return, treated thin' beach huousn' its a remutal pri mpertv aimd denim mcted it Pr rata sli:tme of
the propemty taxn's, mortgagm' immtn'rest, titilities, mnaintemuammne annI repaims, and depreciatuon
in deterininirug their net loss fromuu thin' beach lmomimn' ,,-\.n IRS agent Imas hinumtm'd the
deduntiomis to the relut income. Hm' contennis that the 4-day pn'msonai tise provsioii WitS
h
n'xcen'nlenl and that many of thin' tllt'gmrl repairs were capital expn'munlitmires. Anivise tun'
H amrehis oli h ow t ties sii )ul d mn'spond to thun' IRS.
Research Problem 4. ,A,s a rn'stilt of a bitter divorce, .-\rin'nn' found lun'rself with 110 visihln' means
of stupport , l)rawim mg mn her taiel its
m itu
eqtln'stniami, slim' n'stabiished a biusiiuess (art LI .( )
that integrated n'qtmest nail actis hies wit im a mollie and hamm i desmgim acti\i t\.
i
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CHAI' 1ER 6 Deductions and Losses: In GeneraI 6-47
AlICII(' vas anac (oniplisi Ìc(1 C(11I(St liI 1IUI C( )I11I)C1((I licqilen liv ai id succcssfullv in
I OJSC s1ìüvs. TI icc si iows enai)lc(i i le I t( lx iccon ucd in t 1w cqiiestiiaii COlflfll unity as t
skiiicd (OIflj)(li101 lUI to IÌiaLt (()lltaCt with j)nt('lltial clients. Sincc she f1t (iirect contact
lI1(i Sl1iSfi((1 (IiCfltS i)I\I(1((i IIÌC Ill((SsaIV Ilkulkctiflg loi iicr biisiiìcss, suc chosc lint to
1(i\cIt se in t 1l(I( Jllhl)iicat i( ns \ii of IRr.. (i e n t dat (>lISiU5 seic (IC\Ck)1)cd i th is I
n inc i-.
i-Icr i)IIl1 (icsiglls factoicd in ici kiiovicdgc of tiu i(iiosvnclasics of cadi of fui
(licht's 11(115(5. R((iiIs( lìcr (:iicllts ale vcaitlìv lursc people,'' tue ii1tCFiOl (lisigli of a
cuculs hoinc oítclì Ic(flliI((1 kinuvicdgc dated to Iìoiscs.
I)iii-i ng a u\cn-vca pciioii, Ai cì c 's ((f iicsliiaiì activity pn)(iucc(i ann tiai fosses. while
I
t 11( h( uSC i)ìlIi lIi(l h( )iii( (lC5iLl1 activity l)i( )dItce(l j)I()tits. Fhc loss on [lic cqilcstriall
act ivi u so 101(1 liae lcii
la ge t exce,t foi ecogi nied gail I on t he ccasional sale of one of
I icr lO)iS(S. ( )n a (OIÌ1I)i ned 1)asis, the t\ t(ti\It ics piodiiceci sIII)stant ial 1jioflts in six of t he
1
Research Problem 5. Bull Rol)IIison Is a l)lì\sl(jahI whose specialty is ohstetrics ou(1 gynecology
( oh/(;ii). 1-1t uIi(l lus svile Joy have lived in RIcllnu)lld Hill, (eoigia. fòi 100cc than 15
\(ai5. 1)ute to the high cost of his tiiedical iiialpiuctice instulatuce, Bill decided to
(lis(Ol1 li n tie the (1(1 iveiing 1ihies'' f)aIt )f il IS 11i1tie. v is eIiiph)ue(1 as al i adnii i istlat o
1
In 01(1cl 1(1 l)ítItiull\ offset tll( loss of inoiiìe associated vitlu the (ulItaillileilt of Bill's
lul('dical J)IiCt ice. J( o l)('cailÌe a utlespeisoii I (H several (li lect inaiketing c( unì l)ínits. Ilei
actiyities \aiie(l in that one of the conujllaluies 501(1 l)eault\ i)ioclulcts while anothei- iulalkete(l
a tax 1)11 )(lui(t tiIit ulil)I)OSe(ll\ 50)111(1 Iul(ieaSe i taXl)aveu's (ledi ictiol IS iïu at least $5.000.
TI-ic (lirect iiìtiketii ig coilupa n ies ie(]I ii 11(1 tI nit Jos puuchase a certain uil lotint of invelltorv
each liìolutll.loy I((elve(l a coluuiuuissioiu bas((I oli the uln()1tnt oilier sales. In addition, Jo
i(((i\e(l j)uit of the (onìiiuissions eat Iue(I l)\ otluei pe())le that she signed up to voik fr
the (hielt iuiaiketing (oiui)aiuies (i.<., 5lÌ( \s'a ali uipline (ljstiibntol.' auud the litiits
\V('i( (lO\Villifle (listiiI)iltOIs )
FOttuilhltelV, Jo ssas able to t'tail) luci i(lInii)iStrltj\( 1)OsitiOn uIu(l (1)) 1)11 (lit('(t
iiiaiketiiug activitiu's in the' evenings itid ou weekends. She ('slínuate(l she woike(1 ahouit IS
ti) 20 hotus lJr sve&'k in these (1li('(t iuìaiketiiig activities. She l)l(l)itIl 30- an(l 90-day sales
iel)Otïs ìii(l kept a ec( ìd f hei ex})('nses. for t lu' fi ist five years as a di ¡cet seller, she had
Ios5es ( )f nu oe tluaiu 520,000 cad i year. SI i e reported and deducted these losses ou a
Schedule C.
The IRS audits the Rohiiisoiis' Joint income tax returii and disallows as a hobby tile
loss reported by Joy n luci Schedule C.
Joy cotutends that lier direct marketing activlt\ isa trane or husiness and supports titis
position willi the following f5cts:
She conducted her di ¡cet inarketii ¡g act is its as a trade or business. For each of her
nlirect sell i uig act is i ties, si ie prepared a hi isiness pt ti tat ncluuded goals regarding tIte
u umher (if customers she would attract and t lie sales she would achieve.
She w oked abouit 5 to 20 lion rs per week iii the direct niarketiug activities with 60%
1
of the t une being devot ed t (I sign 11g np dowuliuie dist ribuitors (primarily himílv itieni-
i
hers 01 fliends at a lundi or dinner that she pain foi). fi nfortuuiately, most of her suc-
cess iii tins area lias been short-lived (i.e., nearly all of her signees qtnt within six
¡non dis)
She invested ni the business 1w purchasing insentorv.
She obtained tax advice ou lier (Itrect nuarketiug activities ftoin a CPA.
She luiienl a CPA to evaluate the legalits of the tax piorltict she was selling.
SIte occasionally sought anivice oti sales, product training, atid recruiting others flout
her 01)1111e rust iThutcr.
Evaloate the controversy by a)plving tite nine butors iii Reg. 1.183-2(b) (1
through (9).
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Research Problem 6. \1edit1 Benefits, Inc., sas esta1)1SI1e(1 lo tIR' ( aI,Iorina Pt,1)lic
Benefit (ì)I-I)( W11iOfl Lav. It, artic1c , ,f ilIcorpoIatioll j)I()Vi(ICd that It Orgal ìiiccl tfl(I
opeiatcd exchlsivel\ f >z (1ulrital)1c, e(11 (allouai, ln(1 cjc1 Ìtifj( pui pos(' .'' \ cordii 1g \ledi(dI
1
Beììcfis, it opt.iatcd ith a dual plr})oSe. 1h ¡)Fiflliul\ iiuqxee \\a' tI) plovicle cal Cgl\iflg SeIVRC
tO itS 11e1r1l)er. Its SCCOflda1' purpose ts to furnish it. nìeiriIx'i n,e(Ij(al 11lrijlIa11a aic1
instructions for using it to benefit thei health puisilalit to the California ( :ompassioiiatc Use
Act of 1996. Recipients paid Medical Benefits a nìeiìibeiship fee iii consideration of the right to
receive caregiving services and the right to ieceise medical marijuana.
Medical Benefits was tax-exempt in California but lot foi Federal purposes. Medical
Benefits' annual resenoes anti expenses wei e approximatels the same amount (i.e., a
break-cs eu result) . ( insequeuuth , ans Iedera1 tax liabihi R was ei tuer 5f) or nil ninual.
According to the IRS, all of Medical Benefits' deductions should he (hmsallossed. I liemefome,
its Federal tax líahilit should he calculated based solely on mt', revenues. The basis foi the
disallossance is 250F. (Expenditures iii Connection th the Illegal Sale of Drugs). Since
Medical Benefits was "trafficking in conti oiled substances," no deductions are pentuitted.
Es altiate the positions takeiì hs Medical Benefits and the IRS.
Use the tax resources of the Internet to address the foHowing questions. Do not restrict
INTERNET your search to the Web, but include a review of newsgroups and general reference
a c t i z' ¡ t)' materials, practitioner sites and resources, primary sources of the tax law, chat rooms
and discussion groups, and other opportunities.
Research Problein 7. [.o ate and read a ter cnt judicial or aduìiuistratise tiling regarding the
i
deductibilits of hobby losses. Look for rulings that (leal ith horse breeding. pi1 )f essional
SS
sports t(llTi5, 01 ai t collecti 1g activities. \Vhichu criteria did the nih ng euìphasiie iii
upholding or resersiug the taxpasei 's deduc tillo for such los',c's?
Research Problem 8. 'I lie $1 million tuaximuilu compensation deduction dot's not seem to
have deterred large corporatiomms fiom renunnenuting their executis es at sels high lesels.
What tech niques aie hieing used to ssork around tile uulhionaires' pu s isiomi o e executives
ta kin g pa\ cuts, o r are t heu- sala i i es be i iig deferred om cil anged ni n at ii re (h tie t o I 62( ni)
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